Manufacturing 2015: Sector is forging ahead across the region
SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S strong manufacturing heritage looks to be secure for another generation with the ambitions of its advanced manufacturing developments, but its high profile can overshadow the strengths across the rest of the region.
West Yorkshire’s large manufacturing base is often overlooked and developments like the National Process Manufacturing Training Centre in Huddersfield, which started to be built this summer, is a good example of the specialisms and expertise that exists.
A major manufacturing project by TheBusinessDesk.com and Squire Patton Boggs, which launches today, has analysed the size, scope and impact the sector has on the region.
A flagbearer for UK, not just Yorkshire, manufacturing is Sheffield Forgemasters International – an £80m-turnover business which is both one of the largest private sector employers in Sheffield City Region and a world leader in its field.
The importance of the company, and the rest of the sector, to the health of our economy is not lost on Sheffield Forgemasters’ group development director Mark Tomlinson.
“Manufacturing forms the foundation of the economy with its emphasis on long term strategies and its significant investment in plant, people and R&D,” he said.
“Without the steadying influence of a strong manufacturing base, even modern economies can fall foul of short termism and become prone to unpredictable cycles of boom and bust, driven by markets and speculation.” 
Mr Tomlinson believes manufacturers have spare capacity – caused by a reduction in global demand and a reluctance to lose their skilled staff – but also demonstrates the long-term thinking that is prevalent.
He said: “Manufacturing, particularly in the UK, appears to have suffered from a reduction in productivity but I believe that this is a function of reduced order-load rather than a decay in our abilities. Companies in advanced manufacturing in particular are reluctant to lose highly skilled staff when demand reduces.
“Given the lack of suitably trained people in the job market and the time needed to train up new starters, manufacturers must adopt a longer term view of the economic cycle and the labour market.
“For that reason I believe that a resurgence in consumer demand will inevitably lead to rises in productivity. It is therefore important to raise consumer confidence to levels that unlock purchasing decisions across the wider economy. This will allow the type of longer term planning that results in the building of projects that we supply such as power stations, oil rigs, steel processing factories and chemical plants.”
Sheffield Forgemasters is just one of many companies that has helped form and reinforce the steel city’s worldwide reputation.
Karen French, head of manufacturing in the Leeds office of Squire Patton Boggs, said: “Yorkshire is renowned around the world for its steel industry and this has provided us with an enviable pedigree both nationally and also internationally.
“And we should be immensely proud of this heritage – it truly puts us on the map.”
But she knows from first-hand experience of working with manufacturing clients across Yorkshire that the breadth of manufacturing expertise goes beyond this.
“Quite apart from this solid base of heavy engineering, the wider manufacturing sector is also strong,” she added.
“There are some outstanding businesses that have been about for years – and sometimes generations – as well as other manufacturing sub-sectors which are also rapidly emerging.
“For example, this region’s advanced manufacturing sector is burgeoning and gaining an exceptionally strong reputation.”
Complementary projects have been running in the North West and West Midlands. Click here to read their reports:
